A group of independent UN experts on Thursday urged Iran to release jailed rights activists including the winners of this year's Sakharov rights prize, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film-maker Jafar Panahi.

"I am particularly concerned about the situation of Ms. Sotoudeh, whose state of health is reportedly deteriorating due to the hunger strike she commenced on 17 October to denounce her prison conditions and the restrictions imposed on members of her family," UN special rapporteur for human rights in Iran Ahmed Shaheed said in a statement.

"I am particularly concerned about the situation of Ms. Sotoudeh, whose state of health is reportedly deteriorating due to the hunger strike she commenced on 17 October to denounce her prison conditions and the restrictions imposed on members of her family," UN special rapporteur for human rights in Iran Ahmed Shaheed said in a statement.